TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of a simulated heat wave on physiological strain and labour productivity

AU - Ioannou, Leonidas G

AU - Mantzios, Konstantinos

AU - Tsoutsoubi, Lydia

AU - Panagiotaki, Zoe

AU - Kapnia, Areti K

AU - Ciuha, Ursa

AU - Nybo, Lars

AU - Flouris, Andreas D

AU - Mekjavic, Igor B

N1 - CURIS 2021 NEXS 110

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simulated heat-wave on the labour productivity and physiological strain experienced by workers. Methods: Seven males were confined for ten days in controlled ambient conditions. A familiarisation day was followed by three (pre, during, and post-heat-wave) 3-day periods. During each day volunteers participated in a simulated work-shift incorporating two physical activity sessions each followed by a session of assembly line task. Conditions were hot (work: 35.4◦C; rest: 26.3◦C) during, and temperate (work: 25.4◦C; rest: 22.3◦C) pre and post the simulated heat-wave. Physiological, biological, behavioural, and subjective data were collected throughout the study. Results: The simulated heat-wave undermined human capacity for work by increasing the number of mistakes committed, time spent on unplanned breaks, and the physiological strain experienced by the participants. Early adaptations were able to mitigate the observed implications on the second and third days of the heat-wave, as well as impacting positively on the post-heat-wave period. Conclusions: Here, we show for first time that a controlled simulated heat-wave increases workers’ physiological strain and reduces labour productivity on the first day, but it promotes adaptations mitigating the observed implications during the subsequent days.

AB - Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simulated heat-wave on the labour productivity and physiological strain experienced by workers. Methods: Seven males were confined for ten days in controlled ambient conditions. A familiarisation day was followed by three (pre, during, and post-heat-wave) 3-day periods. During each day volunteers participated in a simulated work-shift incorporating two physical activity sessions each followed by a session of assembly line task. Conditions were hot (work: 35.4◦C; rest: 26.3◦C) during, and temperate (work: 25.4◦C; rest: 22.3◦C) pre and post the simulated heat-wave. Physiological, biological, behavioural, and subjective data were collected throughout the study. Results: The simulated heat-wave undermined human capacity for work by increasing the number of mistakes committed, time spent on unplanned breaks, and the physiological strain experienced by the participants. Early adaptations were able to mitigate the observed implications on the second and third days of the heat-wave, as well as impacting positively on the post-heat-wave period. Conclusions: Here, we show for first time that a controlled simulated heat-wave increases workers’ physiological strain and reduces labour productivity on the first day, but it promotes adaptations mitigating the observed implications during the subsequent days.

KW - Assembly line

KW - Core temperature

KW - Heart rate

KW - Heat

KW - Heat stress

KW - Hot

KW - Occupation

KW - Skin temperature

KW - Thermal stress

KW - Work

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85102417545&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph18063011

DO - 10.3390/ijerph18063011

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33804091

AN - SCOPUS:85102417545

VL - 18

JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

SN - 1661-7827

IS - 6

M1 - 3011

ER -